The MSU College of Nursing on April 4, 2022.
A former Michigan State University College of Nursing student alleges she was sexually harassed during a clinical rotation and subsequently retaliated against by university officials after reporting the incident, according to documents obtained by The State News.
Miri Choi filed a notice of intent to sue MSU’s College of Nursing, College of Nursing Program Director Gayle Lourens and nursing faculty members Angella Ruley and Lindsay Mason.
Filing a notice of intent is a required step before pursuing legal action against a public institution like MSU, although it doesn't guarantee a case will make it to court.
Choi’s attorney, Fabiola Galguera with NachtLaw, P.C., did not respond to requests for comment.
MSU spokesperson Amber McCann said the university does not comment on pending or potential litigation.
According to the filing, which was obtained by The State News through a public records request, Choi started MSU’s Nurse Anesthesia Program in May 2024.
On July 23, 2025, Choi was completing a summer clinical rotation at Henry Ford Warren Hospital when she alleges that registered nurse anesthetist Jami Neuens confronted and sexually harassed her.
Choi alleges Neuens followed her near the operating rooms and “cornered her” in a women’s locker room where she “engaged in voyeuristic and intimidating conduct” while Neuens was changing out of her clinical attire. Choi reported the incident to MSU faculty that day, according to the notice.
Just two days later, Choi was removed from the clinical rotation based on a report alleging performance concerns. Choi alleges the report contradicted positive feedback from previous evaluations. Neither MSU nor the hospital conducted an independent investigation before her removal, she alleges.
At a July 29, 2025 meeting, Lourens allegedly told Choi, in a berating manner, that she could finish her summer course but would be dismissed from the program at the end of the semester.
Choi was "told she would be dismissed after reporting sexual harassment and student safety concerns, while the alleged perpetrators and allied staff faced no consequences."
Later, on Aug. 27, 2025, Lourens acknowledged that she had delayed reporting Choi’s sexual harassment disclosure by about one month, according to the notice. The disclosure was not reported to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights until Aug. 23.
In a meeting on Sept. 8, 2025, Katherine Dontje, the MSU Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for Graduate Programs and Evaluation, “attempted to pressure” Choi to “retroactively accept a medical leave” and to cite a mental health condition for her removal.
Choi is seeking monetary damages, lost wages and emotional distress, as well as attorney costs.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
